Electrical terminal block



P 1952 w. P. RICKABAUGH ELECTRICAL TERMINAL BLOCK Filed May 16, 1951 w m m m Patented Sept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" William P. Rickabaugh, Tabor, Iowa.

Application May 16, 1951, Serial No. 226,612

The present invention relates to an electrical connector block and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a rectangular shaped body of dielectric material having a centrally disposed longitudinallyand upwardly extending ridged portion upon either side of which is affixed a connector plate. Extending laterally from each side of the ridged portion is a block having a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the outer side thereof and a plurality of relatively small vertical openings extendin from the top into the recess therebelow and a-plurality of relatively large openings likewise communicating with the recess. Immediately below the large openings in each case is an eyelet which aflixes within the recess an upwardly and outwardly extending spring plate which is adapted to be moved downwardly by a non-conducting tension post which is threadably mounted in the adjacent relatively small opening heretofore referred to. The device is provided at either end with a pair of connecting posts which are adapted to bear against the spring plates to frictionally engage the'rebetween the bared ends of wires which may be placed between the spring plates and the connector plate above referred to.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction, easy to manufacture and yet effective and efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth wherein means is provided for connecting appliances and the like thereto without the necessity for disconnecting the power supply.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a novel one-piece body of dielectric material forming a part of the invention.

A further and important object of the invention is the provision of novel eyelet fastening means forming a part of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

1 Claim; (01. i7s- 324) Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention,

.Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view theretaken along line manner of insertion of a lead wire to be connected to the device forming the present invention,-and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showin the lead wire in locked condition.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown therein an elongated rectangular body ID of dielectric material having a vertically and longitudinally extending ridge ll centrally disposed thereon. The ridge H is preferably and as shown formed integrally with the body "I.

Extending laterally from each side of the ridge II is an integrally formed block l2 whose lower surface is in parallel spaced relation to the adjacent upper surface of the body It). The ridge I l is provided with a pair of vertically extending openings l3 which extend entirely through the same and through the body 10 so that the device may be fastened to a wall or the like and each of the blocks I2 is provided with a plurality of relatively large openings I 4 adjacent the ridge II and a plurality of relatively smaller threaded openings IS in spaced parallel relations to the openings l4, and outwardly therefrom with respect to the ridge I I.

In each of the blocks t2 immediately below each of the openings l4 and I5 there is provided an inwardly extending recess l6 which communicates with the openings I 4 and I 5 immediately thereabove and immediately below each of the openings 14 there is provided an eyelet I! which extends upwardly from a relatively shallow recess l8 provided in the body I 0 below each of the recesses It to fasten the inner end of a spring contact member I 9 which is centrally provided with an opening 20. The free end of the member I9 is biased upwardly to normally bear against a tension post 2| of dielectric material which is threaded in the opening [5 thereabove. Each of the tension screws 2| is provided with a bifurcated head 22.

Below each of the blocks 12 there is mounted atop the body I0 an elongated conductor plate 23 which is fastened to the body ID at either end by means of an eyelet 24, openings 25 being provided for this purpose. At either end of each of the plates 23 there is an integrally formed inward extension 26 likewise provided with an opening 21 through which, in each case, a connector post 28 is threaded into the body I 0.

In operation, it will be apparent that power lines may be connected to the connector post 28 at one end of the device and that thereafter a pair of bared lead wires 29 may be inserted into a pair of opposed recesses l6. In Figure 4 one 01' such lead wires 29 is shown about to be inserted into one of the recesses l6. During this operation the same will enter the recess 16 and parent that the openings M are provided for easy" access to the eyelets [1 whereby the same-may be readily applied to mount the spring contact members l9. Clearance is provided for the lower portions of the eyelet I! by means of the recesses I8. When it is desired to extend the power sup: ply beyond the device hereinabove described; it is only necessary to connect suitable wires to the other pair of connector posts 28 to'a similar de= use to thereby provide additional outlets; It will also be apparent that it is unnecessary todis connect the powrsupply when mounting the bared wires 29in the device-as aforesaid,

, while but one foirin of the invention has been shown and described herein, it'will be readily apparent to those. skilled in the art that many minor modificationsmaybe made without 'd'e= ii ting-from the spiritof the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

wi atas eiaiinea'isz I A de e of the character d'sciibd eeinp rie iii a angers-r body of diele iie material, a longitudinally and upwardly extending ridged portion centrally disposed oh said may, a: block ding outwardly ffn'l' each "side of said ridge portion iii spaced parallel relation to the tee arsed body, a longitudinally extending con hector piste mounted atop'said body below each gar s a tr is, a connector post extendin t 3 h each ndof each of said plates and each tlire ably connected to said body, and ref frfiovably electrically connecting a plurality of pairs of lead wires to said plates, saidm'eans meaning a pliiifality of inwardly eiitending reing access openings one above each of said vertical openings, eyelets extending through each cen- 1 trial and vertical opening and fixed to secure said each including a second portion obtusely angled relative tosaid'first portion, said second portions each having a lead wire receiving aperture therein, and each connector having a third fiat portion obtusely angledrelative to said second pormen and normally suhstahtially arauel to said first portion, said tension screw abutting said. third ortions to bias the edges or the "Si-lhfitli'ifb engagement with the associated read wires, Whereby'two edges of said third-portion and the edg'es of said apertures engage said wire-'fixedl y to clamp said wife in" electrical association with said connector plate. I

WILLIAM F. RICKAB AUGH; REFERENGES CITED The following references are at retard re as file of this patent: i

UNITED STATES PATENTQ c Jan. 16,1945 

